Anguilla News covers Anguilla and the wider
Caribbean.
x
xx
xxx
Advertisement
“Innovation and Economic Development: The Anguilla
Experiment” - Dr Aidan Harrigan, warmly received as keynote
speaker for AHTA , AGM.
Date Posted: April 15, 2008.
“Innovation and Economic Development: The Anguilla
Experiment” - Dr Aidan Harrigan, PS EDICT, Government of
Anguilla (GOA), was warmly received as keynote speaker for
the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association (AHTA) Annual
General Meeting (AGM) at Frangipani Beach Resort on Thursday
10th April 2008.
Over 70 members of the AHTA alongside invited guests from
Government gathered at Frangipani Beach Resort on Thursday
to hear Dr. Aidan Harrigan present the keynote speech, the
AHTA Presidents Report of Activities for the financial year
2007 –2008, and to enjoy a cocktail at the beautiful
Frangipani Grill courtesy of reception sponsors Diamonds
International.
In Dr. Harrigan’s speech he outlined the approach the GOA
has taken towards economic development and tourism policy
over recent years. He referenced the 1978 tourism policy
document, which outline a ‘high value low volume’ approach,
which has ‘served us well’. He discussed the opportunities
and threats posed by the current level of development and
was able to tell the interested audience about the recently
commissioned “Economic Social Impact Analysis of the Tourism
Projects approved since 2002 and a Tourism Master Plan Study
to cover the period to 2020 to provide guidance and
direction to the future development of the tourism industry
in Anguilla” and in conclusion he said “It therefore makes
better sense to focus on the “yield” from tourism, something
which to date Anguilla has been successful at with the focus
on low volume – high value, luxury upscale tourism. It also
makes sense to diversify the economy which would in turn
lessen the pressure on tourism to deliver all the
development objectives”.
Mr. Delroy Lake, General Manager of KU and Treasurer of the
AHTA – read extracts from the President ‘s Report in
Sherille Hughes unavoidable absence – he reported “the
financial year 2007 - 2008 has been a period of rapid growth
for the AHTA. Membership of the Association has grown
significantly and we have had greater financial support from
our membership…our profile has been high, our events well
attended and the membership on the whole is engaged and
committed.” Mr. Lake referred members to the Presidents
Report of 2008 for the full list of AHTA achievements and
activities for 2007-2008.
Trudy Nixon, the Executive Director of the AHTA continued
with a few words on plans for 2008 – 2009 urging members to
get involved and provide information and support when
requested – in order that the AHTA could give them better
representation. She indicated that the AHTA would be doing a
strategic planning exercise to ensure they met the member’s
needs going forward. She then chaired the elections for new
positions on the AHTA BOD. Three directors retired from a
3-year period of service: Sherille Hughes - Paradise Cove,
Mark Romney – Cable and Wireless and Iain McCormack – Cap
Juluca. The Following Candidates were nominated for
Election: Sherille Hughes, Avon Carty, Jeff David and
Wilbert Fleming. There was a membership ballot and the 3
offers elected to serve on the ATHA BOD for 3 years were:
Avon Carty – Cable and Wireless, Wilbert Fleming – Anguilla
Great House and Sherille Hughes – Paradise Cove.
The proceedings continued with a brief presentation from
sponsors Diamonds International and in conclusion Gilda
Gumbs Samuels, Membership and Events Manager presented an
incentive prize giveaway to the first members in each
category to pay their annual membership dues for 2008-2009 –
Villa View Fort (Villa), Keen Enterprises (Allied) and
Frangipani (Accommodation).
